It is the individual's task to differentiate himself from all the others and stand on his own feet. All collective identities . . . interfere with the fulfillment of this task. Such collective identities are crutches for the lame, shields for the timid, beds for the lazy, nurseries for the irresponsible. . . .

KEYS OF UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE: (Detail) 1. Read the Bible - over and over - again and again. By repetition you will gain familiarity with the stories, with the characters, with the authors, with the teachings and doctrines and, most importantly, with our Lord and Master. "If we are to know God, we must read His words, for therein He stands revealed to the honest in heart." Bishop J. Richard Clarke, General Conference, Oct.'82. 2. Ponder, Pray and Seek the Spirit. Most important above all others! Seek always to have the Spirit with you. ". . . the things of God knoweth no man, except he has the Spirit of God." 1 Corinthians 2:11. Listen to that "still, small voice." 3. Use the New LDS Edition of the King James Version..."The most significant event in Bible publication in over a hundred years," Daniel H. Ludlow. Forget other translations. 4. Use & rely on the JST, for clarification. Especially as foot-noted in the New LDS Edition of the King James Version. Mark the JST footnotes throughout your Bible. 5. Don't get "hung up" on individual words. Don't be distracted by archaic spellings and usages or "little words" that might not be correct. Read for the Meaning and for the Story while relying on the Spirit. 6. Use commentaries & dictionaries for background . . . history, local customs & traditions; (Use the Bible Dictionary & Maps in the LDS Edition). For doctrinal interpretations, use the scriptures themselves and prayer along with the writings of inspired scholars. "Don't drink from the stream below the horses." 7. Study individual scripture passages in context with all others which are pertinent as to time and doctrine. 8. "Rightly divide" between literal and figurative. Study inspired writings of latter-day apostles and prophets. 9. Modern scripture sheds true light on the ancient. Footnotes and Topical Guide will help. 10. Become familiar with ancient biblical literary styles. Learn some of the basic elements of Israelite writing such as: parallelism, chiasmus, figurative imagery, and dualism. 11. Learn Hebrew and Greek. [For the very ambitious.]

Perhaps the greatest discovery of my life, without question the greatest commitment, came when finally I had the confidence in God that I would loan or yield my agency to him-without compulsion or pressure, without any duress, as a single individual alone, by myself, no counterfeiting, nothing expected other than the privilege. In a sense, speaking figuratively, to take one's agency, that precious gift which the scriptures make plain is essential to life itself, and say, "I will do as you direct," is afterward to learn that in so doing you possess it all the more.